Extensor hallucis longus

Muscle parts

None

Latin name

Musculus extensor hallucis longus

Latin muscle parts

None

Group

Crural muscle – anterior compartment

Etymology

In English this muscle’s name is the long muscle that straightens the big toe. The word extensor comes from the Latin ex meaning “out from” and tendere meaning “to stretch.”The term hallucis is from the Latin hallux, which originally arose from the Greek halmos meaning “to leap or spring.” The big toe was so-named because of its functional role in leaping.Longus is the Latin term meaning “long.” This is being used as a comparative reference to a shorter muscle that does the same thing.

Origin

Medial surface of the middle portion of the fibula and the adjacent interosseous membrane.

Insertion

Dorsal side of the base of the distal phalanx of the large toe with tendinous expansions to the base of the proximal phalanx on either side.

Action

Dorsal flexion of ankle; extension of big toe

Nerve supply

Deep peroneal nerve (L5)

Blood supply

The muscle belly is supplied by muscular branches from the anterior tibial artery. From proximal to distal the tendon of the muscle receives blood supply from the anterior lateral malleolar artery, tarsal branches of the dorsalis pedis artery, and the first dorsal metatarsal artery.